AOC AGON AG271QX Review: 144Hz Gaming Monitor With FreeSync

Introduction

The AOC AGON AG271QX features all the key elements one gamer might desire including the rapid 1ms response time, 144Hz rate, and various gaming features which make competitive gaming run smoothly on this gorgeous 27-inch 1440p display. The versatile aluminum base makes for easy ergonomic adjustments while the extensive connectivity options ensure to please every user.

Specifications

27 Inches Screen

2560×1440 Resolution

TN Panel

16:9 Aspect Ratio

144Hz

1ms Response Time

Ports: HDMI2.0, DisplayPort1.2, DVI, HDMI(MHL), D-Sub

Other Ports: 4xUSB, Microphone Jack, Headphones Jack

Pixel Pitch: 0.233mm

Brightness: 350cd/m2

Dynamic Contrast: 50,000,000:1

Built-in Speakers: 2x3W

FreeSync Technology

Performance

The 144Hz rate of this gaming monitor ensures fluid and smooth gameplay absent of any screen stuttering, tearing, and blurring. You will be able to run demanding games at maxed out settings and maintain a steady and high frame rate. Moreover, the FreeSync technology allows you to connect your compatible AMD graphics card to the DisplayPort of the monitor and gain a steady synchronized frame rate between the 30Hz – 144Hz range. Although the high Hz rate is mostly noticeable and desirable in fast-paced FPS games, if you’re switching from a standard 60Hz monitor, you will able to notice that even your mouse cursor movement appears more smooth.

The response time of 1ms eliminates ghosting and smearing of fast moving objects. This means that you will be able to compete in the high-end professional FPS gaming with the edge over your opponents who have slower response time monitors. Along with the low input lag of the AOC AGON AG271QX, you will have all the necessary tools for competitive gaming and no excuse for losing.

AOC Shadow Control feature is yet another quite useful game enhancing utility which helps you see better in the dark areas of the games. This feature will brighten up the dark corners of your screen when it is needed, and it won’t affect the quality or the lighting of the rest of the screen. This is particularly useful in very dark games as you will be able to see your enemies and objects more clearly.

The AOC AGON AG271QX features the Flicker Free technology which along the Low Blue Light mode takes care of your eyesight. The low level of the harmful blue lights and the screen picture without visible flickering allow you to play for hours without straining your eyes.

The TN panel of this gaming monitor delivers a vibrant and crisp picture quality. Even though the colors aren’t as consistent and precise as those of an IPS panel monitor, they are still vivid enough for an immersive gaming and movie watching experience. Since the colors aren’t very accurate, professional designers and photographers won’t be able to get their work done with this monitor, as it is a gaming monitor such thing is not expected from it anyway.

The Quad HD resolution is four times the regular 720p which means that you can fit the same amount of pixels of four HD displays into one quad HD. Such resolution on a 27-inch screen results in a desirable amount of pixel density which provides you with a crisp and brilliant image production capable of delivering a flawless gaming experience.

The response time of 1ms is much more relevant than the color accuracy when it comes to gaming, so a TN panel over the IPS is an obvious choice, especially when it comes to high-end competitive and professional FPS games. Another a tad disadvantageous factor of the TN panel monitors are the viewing angles which amount to 170 degrees horizontal and 160 degrees vertical. However, thanks to the ergonomic functionalities of this 144Hz gaming monitor, you’ll be able to effortlessly find the perfect spot and configuration for the monitor in which you can comfortably enjoy the viewing experience without any issues.

Features

The AOC AGON AG271QX includes the standard iMenu software which can be used to adjust the OSD settings in a desktop application rather than by OSD buttons. However, it also includes the exclusive QuickSwitch Controller which is a small and handy device that you connect to the mini USB port. The controller provides you with the ability to quickly swap between certain presets and easily navigate through the OSD menu to adjust the brightness, contrast, and other features.

Another standard software of AOC monitors is the e-Saver which allows you to enable auto shutdown of the monitor once your PC goes into the screensaver mode, sleep mode, or when it turns off. You may additionally set a custom time when the monitor should go into the standby mode or turn off. This is particularly useful for those who let their computers on at night, as the power consumption of the AOC AGON AG271QX amounts to 47W, and 0.5W in the standby mode.

The OSD buttons are placed at the right bottom side of the monitor, underneath the screen. The OSD menu is user-friendly and offers a wide range of possible adjustments. Firstly, under the Luminance settings you can tune all the standard settings such as brightness, contrast, gamma, Dynamic Contrast Ratio, and swap between a several presets. These presets include Text, Internet, Game, Movie, Sports, and an Eco mode which saves on power consumption.

Under the Image Setup section, you can tweak the position of the image frame on the screen; while in the Color Setup you can choose between a several color temperature presets including Cool, sRGB, Normal, and User Defined where you can configure you own RGB color levels. The OSD Setup section allows you to position the OSD menu, set a timer, and adjust the volume of the built-in speakers or the connected headset.

One of the more uncommon OSD features of the AOC AGON AG271QX includes the Picture Boost mode. In this mode, you can select the Bright Frame option which allows you to set custom brightness and contrast levels on a specific area of the screen. Simply select the area by defining the x and y coordinates of the screen section that you want to brighten or darken.

The Game Settings offers you calibrated presets for the FPS, RTS, and Racing games as well as three configurable profiles in which you can manually adjust your own settings. In these profiles, you can set custom values to the Shadow Control, enable and disable the Low Input Lag mode, and adjust the color via the AOC Game Control. The game control feature allows you to configure the color saturation and gray levels on a scale from 0 to 200 for better picture details.

Lastly, under the Extra Menu section of the OSD settings, you will have access to the input selection, auto-configure feature, aspect ratio, DDC/CI, setting the off timer, and the restore to the default option.

Design

The design of the AOC AGON AG271QX features a matte black plastic bezel which has a brushed material at the bottom bezel that is nice to the touch. The bezel of the monitor is pretty thin and amounts to 12mm at the top and at the sides and 17mm at the bottom. The screen of the monitor is covered with a medium anti-glare matte finish which eliminates the sunlight but preserves the picture quality. The black bezel, silver base, and a red logo make for a nice looking gaming monitor. The monitor also appears very pleasing to the eyes even when looked at its back, as it has brushed red lines which resemble wings.

The stand of the monitor is quite steady and versatile. It is made of an all aluminum material which curves into a V shape that gives the monitor a modern and gaming appearance. The monitor can be very smoothly tilted by 25 degrees, swiveled to the left and right by 20 degrees, pivoted by 90 degrees into the portrait position, and height adjusted by 130mm. The stand riser also features a measuring unit which makes it easy to keep track of the ideal height for different purposes. The monitor is also VESA mount compatible if you choose to easily and securely place it on the wall or a mounting arm.

Connectivity

The AOC AGON AG271QX offers a wide range of connectivity including the HDMI2.0, HDMI1.4 with the MHL support which allows you to stream content from you mobile or tablet device onto the screen, DisplayPort1.2, Dual Link DVI, and a VGA port. At the right side of the monitor, you will find two USB3.0 ports, the yellow one is capable of the fast charging ability, and a headphone and a microphone jacks.

At the back of the monitor, along with the display ports, you will also have two USB2.0 ports, one USB upstream port, and additional microphone and audio line-out ports. The OSD buttons are placed underneath the screen at the right, but you will also receive the QuickSwitch Controller which is connectable via the USB port. Besides the controller, in the box of the AOC AGON AG271QX, you will also receive a power cord and adapter, an HDMI cable, a DisplayPort cable, an audio cable, a USB cable, a quick start guide, and a CD with drivers. The monitor has the Plug and Play feature which will ensure that it’s fully operational and ideally configured the moment you turn it on.

At the top right side of the monitor, you will notice an object resembling to an antenna but which in fact serves as a convenient headphones holder. If you find it unnecessary, you can always turn it the other way so that it doesn’t appear visible from the front. Also, keep in mind that in order to enable the FreeSync technology, you will have to connect your monitor to the DisplayPort.

Price

At the moment (January 2017), the price of the AOC AGON AG271QX amounts to $528 which is pretty reasonable considering its Quad HD 1440p, 144Hz rate, 1ms response time, FreeSync technology, and various gaming features. With this gaming monitor, you will be able to compete in professional FPS games with all the necessary tools at your disposal and even a few advantageous features. This monitor is also available with a G-Sync technology for those who have NVIDIA graphics card, but it is a bit more expensive and available for $700.

Conclusion

With this dazzling gaming monitor, you will be able to prove your strength to your opponents thanks to its very responsive yet brilliant image quality and performance, available for a reasonable price. The wide range of connectivity and ergonomic functionalities complement its impeccable features and make for an overall amazing gaming monitor.

AOC AGON AG271QX Review

Design - 9.6/10

9.6/10

Display - 9.5/10

9.5/10

Performance - 9.3/10

9.3/10

Price/Value - 9.7/10

9.7/10

Summary

The AOC AGON AG271QX offers you all the necessary tools for competitive gaming along with a beautiful and crisp 1440p resolution, extensive connectivity and ergonomic functionalities, and a beauteous design. All of that for a quite appealing price.